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Do we believe in the magical powers? Do Ghosts and Goblins really exist? If they do, can their powers be harnessed in a Kosher way?

Kabbalah On Witchcraft

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© Copyright Chabad @ Flamingo, All rights reserved.
By Mendel Kaplan
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the founder and spiritual leader of Chabad @ Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, he also serves as a Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service
The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
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Discussion (7)
July 27, 2012
Re:
We are all not tzadikim. What is important is that we are always growing, never feel satisfied with one's spiritual state. Hashem gets incredible pride from this journey, from overcoming our obstacles.

As mentioned in the class, our task is not to focus on such negative thoughts. We are taught the importance of trust in G-d and optimism, "Think good and it will be good," as the Chassidic Masters have taught. You are to banish all negative thoughts or feelings that you are cursed from your mind.

Do you have kosher Mezuzos on all your doors? Have they been checked recently?
Yisroel Cotlar
Cary, NC
July 20, 2012
Knowing
I have loved HaShem and His Torah since my earliest memories as child--but I am no Tzadik. I've failed miserably at times. So does this mean I am defiled? I have felt things--sensed both benign and malevolent energies for as long as I remember. I have, since toddler-hood been told I have a way with animals. I can 'feel' them--like strong empathy--sense their needs. I don't know how to describe it. At age 7, Ema left me to run an errand. I heard no crash, only the cries of others inside (I was outside getting a soda) & I instantly knew my mother had been in a car accident. I didn't see it, I just 'knew' the details. This 'knowing' has happened to me many times in my life without warning or inviting it. Always it is for trouble, never happy. Then to there are the dreams that come true within a matter of moments to months. (Most are of disaster, some have been for good--others seemed trivial.) I avoid crowds because I feel others. So am I cursed? What should I do about this?
Anonymous
Anniston, AL
November 9, 2010
did curiosity kill the cat?
I nearly left my room in horror and spent the rest of the night in my car when I heard this lecture in the wee hours of the morning.

I live in a former tuberculosis treatment center that has since been converted into mixed residential / hotel use. Never in my stay have I gotten so frightened to live here... the mention of possession, those things that do not translate into English., ghosts, spirits... yikes.

Who stayed in my room....?

But you gave a logical explanation to the naïve souls who seek answers in the occult.
Colin Winkler
Adirondacks, New York
October 3, 2008
Combating Negative Spirits
From a non-catholic christian perspecitve, as the Rabbi encourages, live a holy/righteous lifestyle.

When you somehow sense evil, verbally cry out to the Lord, and He will rescue you (Psalm 91). Also, just as the Rabbi did, cast/command out the evil entity in the name of Hashem, or by the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
Anonymous
April 21, 2008
kaballa on witchcraft
Rabbi Kaplan's comment on the gevurah/chesed aspects of spiritual reality adds more depth to my study of Bereshit, chapter 1.
Anonymous
February 2, 2007
Kabballa on witchcraft
I was listening to this talk, I found it rich in wisdom.
Roxanne Simmons
Baltimore, Md.
November 16, 2006
Congrats!
Please upload more on this rabbi. He speaks slowly and clear. For me that is very important because my English is not so good as I would want.
malka
santaigo, chile
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